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2004-09-25 Nine Arrested - CM - WCBS-TV

9 Arrested During Mass Bike Ride
Between 800 And 1,000 People Took Part In The Ride
WCBS-TV New York

September 25, 2004

Not Credited

A mass bicycle ride ended with nine arrests on Friday, a month after police arrested
hundreds of cyclists who mobbed streets the weekend before the Republican National
Convention.

"We think the ride went really well," said Leah Rorvig, a volunteer for the
environmental group Times Up!, which takes part in the monthly "Critical Mass" rides.
"It was a really celebratory mood."

She estimated that between 800 and 1,000 riders took part in the event, which began
at Union Square. The rides, held the last Friday of every month, traditionally advocate
bicyclist and pedestrian rights, but last month's included anti-Bush chants.

Police confiscated 40 bicycles, according to Detective Noel Waters, a police department
spokesman. Eight people were arrested at 36th Street and Fifth Avenue, and one was
arrested at Union Square, all on minor charges such as disorderly conduct and obstructing
traffic, he said.

The police department had warned riders that there would be arrests at Friday's ride if
participants rode more than two abreast or did not follow the same traffic rules that
apply to cars.

Rorvig said she had heard reports that police cut locks off some bicycles along the route
and confiscated them. She said riders sometimes lock their bikes to nearby poles and leave
the scene when things become chaotic, and she said police have cut locks on bikes before.

During last month's Critical Mass bike ride, days before the start of the Republican
National Convention, 264 were arrested.